Alligator Alley Stays Closed Most Of Time

For the fourth night in a row, Alligator Alley was shut down by authorities Saturday because of heavy smoke from a massive brush fire in the Big Cypress National Preserve.

Officials planned to decide this morning whether it would be safe to re-open the road during the day, as they did Saturday when traffic was allowed back onto the major east-west highway from noon to 7 p.m.

In the meantime, motorists headed to Florida's west coast can drive down to Miami-Dade County to take the Tamiami Trail across the state, or head north into Palm Beach County, to use State Road 80.

The fire that had led to the road closure has been burning since Wednesday night, when authorities think a lightning strike ignited a section of dry brush in eastern Collier County.

By Saturday night, the fire had consumed about 16,000 acres but was not threatening any homes, said Bob DeGross, spokesman for Big Cypress National Preserve.

No injuries have been reported.

Park officials earlier had thought they would have a better handle on the fire by now, but strong winds fueling the flames have been unpredictable and unrelenting, DeGross said.

By Saturday night the fire was about 20 percent contained, the same as the night before.